MANILA, Philippines (Mindanao Examiner / September 11, 2008) - Senator Antonio Trillanes IV has questioned the mining investment by the controversial China’s ZTE International in Mount Diwalwal in Compostela Valley province in Mindanao.
Manila has approved the deal, but this was not made public until noted lawyer Harry Roque exposed the agreement between ZTE and the Arroyo government.
Trillanes already filed a resolution Wednesday directing the Senate Committee on Accountability of Public Officers and Investigations to look into the Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) supervised by Department of Trade and Industry Secretary Peter Favila under special authority from President Gloria Arroyo.
He said the special authority signed on July 12, 2006, designated and authorized Favila to negotiate, conclude and sign a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU), for and on behalf of the Republic of the Philippines with ZTE. The MOU was intended as a cooperative agreement between both parties to work together and cooperate in the investment activities.
According to Trillanes, the MOA violates RA 7942 or the Philippine Mining Act of 1995, which regulates mineral resources development in the country. This governing law takes into consideration local government empowerment, the indigenous cultural communities, equitable sharing of benefits and natural wealth, globalization and environmental sustainability.
He also challenged Secretary Lito Atienza’s contention that the MOA was incomplete without the consent of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR). “Secretary Favila entered into this anomalous agreement through the direct authority of President Arroyo herself. The DENR’s approval was not necessary,” Trillanes said.
Trillanes also deemed the exploration, development and operation of mining areas without full State control and supervision as ‘unconstitutional.’
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